Popis: |
Depuis plus d'un siecle, l'agriculture quebecoise en general, et la production maraichere en particulier, ont subi d'importantes transformations. Cette etude historique vise a comprendre comment la production maraichere a evolue par rapport aux changements dans l'environnement decisionnel general de l'agriculture entre 1940 et 1990. L'analyse des donnees statiques de superficie, de production et de rendement pour 12 legumes ont permis d'identifier trois periodes, intercalees d'annees transitoires, dans l'evolution de la production maraichere referant chacune a une strategie agricole particuliere. La premiere (1940–1957) correspond a une strategie agricole de type familial traditionnel; la seconde (1963–1975), a une agriculture marchande specialisee fondee sur la maximisation des revenus a court terme par intensification; la troisieme (1980–1990), a une agriculture marchande diversifiee fondee egalement sur une maximisation a court terme. Les facteurs externes de l'environnement decisionnel qui ont entraine ces changements sont identifies et discutes. For more than a century, Quebec agriculture in general, and market-gardening production in particular, have experienced important changes. This study, using a historical perspective, seeks to understand how market gardening evolved in relation to changes in the broad decision environment for agriculture between 1940 and 1990. Statistical analysis of data on the areas cultivated, production levels, and yields for 12 vegetable crops revealed three distinct periods, separated by periods of transition, in the evolution of market gardening. Each period is characterized by a particular type of agricultural development strategy. The first period (1940–1957) is characterized by a focus on the traditional family form; the second (1963–1975), by a specialized market agriculture driven by short-term income-maximization intensification; the third (1980–1990), by a diversified marketoriented agriculture, also based on short-term income maximization. External environmental factors that stimulated these changes are identified and discussed. |